The New J. D. Robb

Guest Author - Elizabeth Darrach

Hello, and welcome back! The book room project is nearly finished--my knees are killing me from kneeling on the wood floor and the hundred or so trips up and down the steps, but the bookcases are moved, and all Iīm waiting for is hubby to pick up my two new bookcases so I can finish the job. Finally! Even so, Iīve still got two new books to share with you this week, and am even started on the April books that have arrived already. But enough of this, and on to the books!

I finished the newest J. D. Robb book just the other night, and I have to say, it more than met my expectations. Reunion in Death (Berkley) pits Eve against an old foe this time out, one who intends to take what Eve holds dearest, Roarke. These characters are more and more real to me with each book. Even the secondary characters woven into each book in the series are honestly-drawn. I think we can all imagine a friend, or foe, that each of them remind us of while weīre reading. Ms. Robertsīs writing skills are enviable to other writers and all that a reader hopes for when reaching for a new book. We all know Eve will get her man, or in this case, woman, but the path there is usually the most interesting part, filled with enticing little detours, and this one is no exception, with Eve facing a part of her murky past. I canīt wait for the next book in the series, and hope Ms. Roberts continues this one far into the future. Iīm giving it four and a half of Cupidīs five arrows. Long live Eve and Roarke!

The other book I want to share with you this week is Christina Kingstonīs Ride the Winter Wind (Jove Historical). Lady Alissa Collington has one week to find a groom or forfeit control of her fortune to her nasty uncle. Major Michael Mathers, Viscount Kantwell, wants only to get home to suffer the ill effects of his recent confinement in solitary peace. A snowstorm changes the plans for both of them. I enjoyed both these characters, strong and vulnerable at different times. I was a bit disappointed with the lack of strong secondary characters--other than Alissaīs grandmother, whoīs used mainly as a support, and an eccentric old aunt. There are secondary characters here who could have had a bigger role in the story, I felt, in particular Alissaīs cousin Robin, who was used well at the beginning and the end, but disappeared in the middle. This oneīs a pleasant little read despite those gripes, and itīs earned three arrows.